I gave myself a haircut this morning...shorter than I've done in a while. I'm calling it my Pandemic hairdo. It looks like I could go on the run any minute...no curling irons necessary. If you would like to see it, tell me in the comments. Speaking of which, I am always so happy to hear from you; it makes my day.
Hey, you never told me there was math involved with setting blocks on point! This has taken me a while to figure out the placement, one that I can manage that is. I've settled on sewing the blocks into four larger panels and doing a little hand quilting as I go kind of thing this week. For the backing I chose neutral floral prints so these are now sandwiches. I love seeing the baskets up close again.
Another old old project is the scrappy blues string blocks started about 5 years ago. I used thrift store shirts and pillowcases in this one too.
I also used the blocks to practice 15 minutes a day of free motion quilting, some of it turning out better than others. I have four larger panels joined together and another four prepped as sandwiched panels. I hope I keep this project moving forward this week. I like the blues.
Spring is occurring as I write this. We watched the first trains of Canada geese yesterday flying overhead and honking loudly as if to shout, we're back. Cool but sunny outside and with the recent rains, the snow is leaving the land. The normalcy of watching a season change is comforting just now.
Hubby spied this little fellow first and called me to come see him. Fresh from his underground nest, he was sitting for ages just looking around. Haven't seen any chipmunks since last October.
Murphy has no interest in posing, anxious to get going. It is doggy heaven on the trails with many new smells being revealed every day.
There is so much to keep us busy and enjoy even though a thread of worry is winding its way through these strange days. I'm limiting how much I'm reading about it. I'm concentrating on feeding us well, reading your blogs and choosing the neat things to share with you for this happy Thursday post.
I just loved this little video from 1964 and was totally gobsmacked by how fast these women could knit. What they produce are works of art really. The opening bit badly needed an edit but the rest of the film is well worth a watch. Here is the Link as I couldn't get the video link to work...Shetland Knitters.
Julie at this post at The Crafty Quilter shared good news in the form of quilty news. She shared links to BOM's and QAL's coming up. I have my eye on the Fat QuarterCarolina Lily one which isn't quite ready yet. I've always loved that block.
Julie also shared a free pattern for a block she calls Glass Half Full. I really like it.
I made a little piece last year with a lily type block; enjoyed the process very much.
It always helps whatever is the situation when food and treats are dropped off by our own little family.
Chocolate cupcakes decorated by a 6 year old...
And farm fresh eggs
The old jigsaw puzzle is done and a new one underway. And we have one very large Lindt chocolate ball to finally tuck into. Christmas gifts both.
My last outing last week was for necessities -to a grocery store and a little nearby quilt shop, Happy Wife Quilting. Jenn, who is knowledgeable and friendly, runs her shop with her long arm services in her home. It is beautifully appointed with lots to look at. I made these two purchases, a new Oliso mini iron...been scouting this for some time, and more batting. I can't seem to keep that on hand; I guess because I usually buy only little bits at a time. I must be thinking I will make an actual quilt by how much I got this time. :)
The colour of the month for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge is turquoise. I went to my fabric cupboard expecting, like Old Mother Hubbard, to find it bare of anything turquoise. But there were a few things similar to that colour, some with blue too, so I made a few more of those flag blocks. I just call them that...I think technically they are itty bitty triangle blocks or some such name.
Home- that's where you'll find us for the time being feeling comforted and knowing our glass is half full.
It seems like the worst of times are upon us. Hubby and I have begun to self- isolate, a new phrase being slung about. Our joke is that this is actually normal living for us with the exception of not seeing the family. But it is heartening to see how people pull together in hard times. The Brits are harkening back to war times and the stoic, chin up attitude that saw them through.
Not quite the same for us of course. In those days people were called to war to fight in horrific battles and on the home front, exist on meager rationed supplies. We're being told to stay inside with our Netflix and delivered food. Yes, all the grocery stores in the nearby little town will deliver to our door. (Mind you, that could only last while there are workers healthy enough to work.) But what I have in the sewing room could see me through several long winters of isolation. Plus there is the comfort of online shopping.
I watched this video and enjoyed it...anything about food catches my eye. Katie eats only a WWII rations diet for 5 days. You might even find foods here you grew up with if you are as old as I am.
Before I forget, I must tell you about the embroidered piece in the header as many have questioned. It is called Sew Love Laugh by Leanne Beasley from Leanne's House. A fun piece to work on and it resides now on one of the two painted walls in this house- this in the sewing room. (Purple, the favourite colour of the former owner's little girl.)
I'm finished stitching the first block of the Book Club Hand Pieced QAL. This one is named after a girl who dreams of opening a quilt shop, Evelyn.
I enjoyed this design very much and made two of them. Since I had made the templates by gluing the paper shape onto cardboard, I figured just as well to use them and try out different fabrics from the ones I'd picked.
It is enjoyable slow stitching in front of the t.v. This week will be spent making the next block and finishing the baskets to the flimsy stage.
The Indiana Barred Owl has laid three eggs so now the fun begins. This is the youtube link to the live cam.
Hope you are getting fresh air while staying safe. We have lengthened our two daily walks in an effort to soak up more of the sun and fresh air. Hopefully, boosting our immune systems. Doing what we can.
I had a hankering for cake on the weekend, thought about it Saturday and relented on Sunday. I made a French Apple Cake and used several Ambrosia apples that we love from Costco. It was light and delicious...what a great recipe and wonderful instructions from the talented Jenn at Once Upon a Chef. Just because it has French in the title doesn't mean it's fancy- quite the opposite, simple ingredients really. It tastes so good we are not needing any cream or ice cream with it. And because I'm basically sugar free, it is satisfying my urge for something a little bit sweet.
We've been watching this version of Bleak House on Britbox and enjoying it. Lady Dedlock is played by Gillian Anderson who I think has a face made for subtext. In this case, hiding well a secret that could ruin her.
Dickens' play with words in naming his characters amused us. I said if he had to name me I would definitely be Mrs. Threadwear. (note threads on my sweater below)
I have a couple photos to share of my start on the Book Club Hand Pieced Quilt Along blocks.
Here with making up the templates. Some curves to tackle. Love my cardboard stash.
I have a small quarter inch ruler which I've found to be invaluable for applique and piecing and use a pencil to draw on the lines.
Trying to keep my stitches small and straight with a back tack here and there.
I'm thinking of making more than one of some of the simpler blocks since I have the templates ready. I like these first blocks enough to want a bigger finished piece. It's always fun to see how colour choices affect the look of a pieced block.
Up to my neck in baskets in the sewing room. These were freezer paper appliqued and still need a few pieces removed.
I have several trains of basket blocks sewn together. Ongoing at the machine.
Rose at Threadbare Creations wrote an important post about the link between creativity and mental health. She speaks about finding our flow, a place where being in the moment makes our worries and negative thoughts disappear, is the sweet spot of creative hobbies. I know it works for me. Does it work for you?
I'm sharing this video today. Filmed on the Atlantic Ocean's edge, it features the Newfoundland groups, Women's Lady Cove Choir and Eastern Owl, an indigenous drumming group. Warrior made its rounds on Facebook during the International Day of Women and is powerful. There is something about the drumming that makes it so.
I was also happy to spy a lovely closeup of one of my Facebook friends singing her heart out.
Costco was unusually quiet on Tuesday. We were actually able to sit and have a hot dog there which we haven't been able to do for almost two years...the seats are always taken. Toilet paper was on special so loads of it available.
During our walk yesterday we were happy to hear the Barred Owl. It's been a while. I walked and walked trying to locate him but no luck. But I did get another photo of one of our resident bunnies. They've been living in the wood pile at the back door.
Just one of March's many weathers...
March brings sugaring weather to our corner of Ontario as well though we won't be spying daffodils any time soon. Here is a Tasha Tudor sweet image featuring the dogs she adored-corgis.
Can I cram it all into one post, was my thought this morning. I have so much to say.
First off I'm busy hand stitching Block 1, Evelyn, in the Book Club Hand Pieced QAL. I love hand stitching but I didn't realize I would like and be pleased with the results of hand stitching pieced blocks. I learned that last year when I was doing the same with the Sarah FielkeGrasshopper project; I liked the process and also was surprised with how strong hand stitches can be especially remembering to take a back tack stitch every so often. As well it does not cause eye strain which my cross stitching seems to do.
My quilt as you goDresdens panels are sewn together which went surprisingly smoothly. I had two tucks that had to be released and resewn which was okay especially considering there are about a million seams in this. I still like the look of the piece as a whole. It is so cheery! It is a good twin bed size at this stage. Contemplating borders.
I finished my Swirling Flowers as mentioned in a past post. This was stitched on 32ct linen,
And chose this one, A Year at Hawk Run Hollow, to keep my cross stitching mojo going. I got the threads all ready.
Started stitching the outline on a fabric I had on hand and realized this far into it
that, even though a large piece of linen, it was not near large enough for this design. Halted that and have ordered a fat quarter piece of 28 ct Wichelt Jobelan so no moving forward on this one till that arrives. Eeek...did not realize just how expensive the larger pieces of linen are! But I'm anxious to get it and get a real start made, hopefully this week.
A bit of bother. Then Pat at Life in the Scrap Patch mentioned to me what about joining this SAL hosted by Lori Holt called Prim Village. Lovely shades so I'm very tempted. Thinking hard about getting the pattern for later on.
Also very tempted by the Prim Village quilt version which is available as a kit. I always wanted to make a house quilt.
I began stitching together my baskets blocks! I made about 65 of them and this week I hope to stitch them into three panels much like I did with the Dresdens. This will help me manage the eventual quilting.
I guess we'll do a Costco run tomorrow morning. Seems like a lot of people are preparing for this virus to cause problems here too. Our Public Health have told us to have medicines and essentials on hand. I guess it can't hurt. What are you thinking about all this? Has it reached your neck of the woods?
So happy meanwhile to join Kathy's Quilts and Slow Stitching Sunday. Also linking with Kate at Life in Pieces, Sarah Goer Quilts, Home Sewn By Us and Quilting is More Fun Than Housework.
March, the month of many weathers, is upon us. There are so many sayings related to this month. Did you ever hear this one... that whatever the weather is on the 21st of March, that will be the weather on June 21st?
A few crows cawing and the chickadees twittering-I've yet to hear any spring bird sounds. I'm anxiously waiting for the Indiana Barred Owl live cam to come back on stream. That always makes March enjoyable. A link is here to the All About Birds cams if you would like to check out many birds raising their young from egg to fledgling.
February nature walks with this little guy were one of the highlights of last month. I love all the walking trails through park land around this neighbourhood. And that this grandson is just 10 minutes away from me.
And my Kolanchoe plant keeps sending out these sweet little pink blooms as if to encourage me. Spring is near, it's saying.
All of the indoor plants are doing well and now, with steady daylight, no longer having to reach for the light like they did back in January. So not as scraggly.
Judy at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts shared this simple technique she had found for making two nine patch quilt blocks at a time. All the details are here at Generations Quilt Patterns. I've bookmarked it to try. There is a large library of free quilt patterns of all kinds to be found at that link as well.
I've registered this year for the Book Club Hand Pieced QAL hosted by Elm StreeQuilts and Simply Homemade Every Day ,
The templates are downloaded and fabrics chosen. Looking at slightly different fabric choices for me but I'm drawn to this little range for some reason. Trying to keep this number tight so I don't go overboard and overwhelm myself...which is easily done. That blue is actually a deep teal colour.
The one on the far left is a thrift store shirt that I had fun deconstructing. Loved the pattern and soft grey colour and being Michael Kors, I knew good quality. Surprising how much perfectly usable fabric can be gotten from shirts. This one cost $8.99.
Here is a great little video from Margo Price explaining how to cut apart men's shirts for quilt material.
What I Would Like
This little guy from Simon's. He's $15. A doorstop that is a fox would totally suit here though I haven't seen our little guy since last fall. Lots of tracks though so I know he's about.
I'm using a very old cat in a bed brick door stop presently that came from the farm.
Hope your week is going well and please wash your hands!
Always pleased to join linky parties around the net. Like these...Not Afraid of Color, Floral Friday Foto, Alycia Quilts and It's a Small Town Life.
After the snowfall and back home to our winter wonderland. My first walk around the trails in glorious sunshine which was surprisingly warm on my back and everywhere looking so Christmasy!
Here, having to duck down to get through.
The sky was the most gorgeous shade of blue/aqua.
The cool air felt so refreshing. It's good to be home.
I have the cardinal cushion top finished. Hand quilting even straight lines can take up a lot of time. And to think there are folks who will hand quilt your quilt for you-can't imagine what I would have to charge according to the hours I put into this small piece.
I was going to use masking tape to mark the lines, then realized those dots are perfectly straight in the navy blue fabric so I used them as a guide.
I also used this part to practice making a line of stitches at once rather than my usual stab through one stitch at a time. I was surprised it looked as good on the back. However, the batting I used here is very thin so easy to pierce.
Maybe I could learn to get the hang of this rocking motion thingy.
I also finished the Swirling Flowers cross stitch piece.
As productive as this week was, I still have UFO's hanging about. The Cabin tabletop piece needs quilting lines and I really have to begin sewing the Basket blocks together. Maybe getting those started this week will be a goal. I have started the large basket for the center medallion block- must show you that.
I'll also choose another pattern for my SAL project. I'm thinking of one I have in my stash, A Year atHawk Run. Maybe its time has come. That should be fun to stitch.
And speaking of showing- here are my purchases at Mad About Patchwork-
a fat quarter bundle of Kona solids
and these Riley Blake neutrals that I took a fancy to
as well as a couple of brights, this time yellow bordering on cheddar (though it doesn't look like it in the sun). Yes I did well there.
